Athletic Club's defensive linchpin Dani Vivian has emerged as a significant doubt for the upcoming La Liga fixture against Celta Vigo after being forced off injured during the side's recent encounter with Espanyol. The center-back sustained a sprain to the lateral ligament of his right ankle, an injury that immediately raised concerns over his availability for the crucial closing stages of the campaign. With Athletic still jostling for position in the upper echelons of the table, any absence of the 25-year-old could prove costly.
The injury occurred during an aerial duel in the first half at the RCDE Stadium. Vivian landed awkwardly and required immediate medical attention on the pitch. Though he managed to continue until the break, the decision was made to substitute him at halftime, with Yeray Álvarez stepping in. Vivian spent the second period on the bench with ice strapped to his ankle, a visible attempt to stem the swelling. The following day, he did not participate in the team's training session at Lezama, leaving head coach Ernesto Valverde facing an anxious wait.
With the match against Celta looming on Sunday, the defender's involvement is now described as "very compromised" by sources close to the club. Athletic's medical staff have yet to disclose the specific grade of the sprain, a silence that often hints at a guarded prognosis. Sprains of this nature typically require anywhere from a few days to several weeks of recovery, depending on the severity. The tight turnaround between matches leaves little room for recovery, making a swift return unlikely.
For the Basque outfit, Vivian's potential absence comes at a most inopportune moment. The team is navigating a compact schedule that includes a daunting trip to face Real Madrid on the season's final day. Every point is vital as Athletic seeks to secure European qualification and build momentum heading into the summer. Vivian has been integral to the side's defensive solidity this term, forging a dependable partnership at the back that has provided the foundation for the team's successes.
His individual performances have not gone unnoticed on the international stage either. Vivian has been named in Luis de la Fuente's 55-man preliminary squad for the upcoming World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. This inclusion underscores his growing stature in Spanish football and places him firmly on the radar for a spot on the plane to the tournament. An injury at this juncture, however, threatens to derail those World Cup ambitions, adding personal urgency to his recovery.
The Athletic defense, which has prided itself on stability, may now need to reshuffle. Yeray, who replaced Vivian against Espanyol, is a more than capable deputy, but the chemistry between Vivian and his usual partners is hard to replicate instantly. Valverde could be forced to tweak his system or rely on other squad members to fill the void, testing the depth that has often been a talking point for the club.
The encounter with Celta is far from a formality. Celta, fighting their own battle away from the relegation zone, will arrive with desperation, and any vulnerability in Athletic's backline could be exploited. The match has taken on added significance for both sides, and Vivian's calming presence would have been a major asset in what promises to be a tense affair.
Looking ahead to the Real Madrid fixture, the narrative could be even more compelling. If Athletic reaches the final day with something to play for, a fully fit Vivian would be almost indispensable against the league's most potent attack. The prospect of missing him for that showdown only heightens the stakes surrounding his current injury.
Despite the immediate worry, the tone from the club is one of cautious optimism. Reports indicate that there is confidence Vivian will recover before the season concludes. Whether that means he features against Celta remains uncertain, but the longer-term outlook suggests he could yet play a part in the final acts of the campaign. Much will depend on how the ankle responds to treatment in the coming days.
For now, Valverde must prepare his squad for the possibility of taking to the field without one of its key pillars. The situation is fluid, and further updates are expected following further medical assessments. Athletic fans will be hoping the injury proves less severe than feared, allowing Vivian to contribute to a strong finish both domestically and, potentially, on the grand global stage this summer. Based on reporting from Marca.
